Afghan Commerce & Industry Minister Leads High-Level Engagement at PHDCCI to Expand India–Afghanistan Business Ties

New Delhi, November 21, 2025: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) hosted a landmark interactive session that brought together senior leaders from India and Afghanistan to deepen commercial ties and explore new avenues for bilateral investment. The meeting was headlined by Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, and attended by key Indian government officials and industry leaders.
 
Minister Azizi expressed heartfelt appreciation for India’s longstanding support to Afghanistan, especially in challenging periods. Highlighting Afghanistan’s pro-investment reforms, he extended an open invitation to Indian businesses to participate in sectors such as mining, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, IT, energy, and textiles. He announced several new incentives, including a 1% tariff on raw materials and machinery, free land allocations, reliable power supply, and proposed five-year tax exemptions for new industries—particularly those established by returning Afghan refugees. He also encouraged greater engagement from the Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities and reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, inclusive, and business-friendly environment for all partners.
 
Dr. M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, highlighted recent developments that will boost trade, including the activation of air freight corridors between Kabul and major Indian cities, which are poised to begin cargo operations soon. He underscored the deep civilizational ties between the two nations and announced the reactivation of the Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce, and Investment. Dr. Prakash encouraged Indian companies to take up high-value opportunities in Afghanistan’s mining sector and confirmed that both countries will soon appoint dedicated trade attachés to facilitate smoother commercial cooperation.
 
Welcoming the Afghan delegation, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, emphasized the chamber’s 120-year legacy and its reach to over 150,000 companies. He underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation in MSMEs and key sectors including hospitality, pharmaceuticals, construction, infrastructure, and IT. PHDCCI, he assured, remains committed to building long-term, trust-based partnerships.
 
Representing the business community, Vardaan Aggarwal, Vice President of Dynasty Oil, acknowledged the strong momentum in bilateral trade, which touched approximately USD 1 billion in 2024–25, with India importing USD 689 million from Afghanistan and exporting USD 318 million. He emphasized the shared ambition to scale trade to USD 2 billion by 2030, driven by enhanced B2B engagements, joint ventures, and improved connectivity. He reaffirmed PHDCCI’s commitment to nurturing these partnerships.
 
Dalip Chopra, Co-Chair of PHDCCI’s International Affairs Committee for Africa, highlighted India’s position as a trusted hub for quality and affordable medical care. Citing the “Heal in India, Heal by India, Heal from India” initiative, he noted that medical tourism, visiting Indian specialists, and telemedicine services can play a transformative role in supporting Afghanistan’s healthcare needs.
 
Naveen Seth, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI, reinforced the pivotal role of institutional collaboration in advancing India-Afghanistan relations. He stressed that stronger economic linkages not only promote mutual growth but also contribute to wider regional stability. PHDCCI, he said, will continue leveraging its global network to support businesses in both countries.
 
The interactive session concluded with a shared affirmation to intensify trade, facilitate joint ventures, and expand sectoral partnerships across healthcare, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, infrastructure, and MSMEs. With the combined support of government stakeholders, industry leaders, and PHDCCI, India and Afghanistan are poised to unlock new economic opportunities and build a model for sustainable regional cooperation. Session was attended by more than 100 participants, which itself shown the huge trade potential between two nations.